Monday, September 2, 2013

Books I've Read This Year

Okay, well. I think we gave up the charade of this being a relevant blog that is lovingly maintained about... forever ago. Now that this has been established, I'm going to proceed to show you pictures of as many of the books I can remember reading in 2013 as possible. I made this list using a fool proof method of wandering around my house, focusing on the areas where piles of books tend to accumulate, and looking through the various stacks in the hopes of seeing titles that I've read. Then I scientifically cross referenced this list against previous blog posts. So basically, anything that I checked out from the library (and presumably returned), borrowed from a friend, loaned out, or gave to Goodwill in a fit of (always failed) house cleaning didn't make this list. Then again, I tend only to give Goodwill my most shameful books, ones I don't want to be seen reading, so maybe it's for the best that these books didn't make the list.

I loved this book super hard.

5 stars.

This books is interesting, but probably more interesting if you like science or are super smart. I am neither into science nor super smart, so I found it dragged a little.

2 stars

I probably should have liked this one more than I did. I like Jeffrey Eugenides, and I loved Middlesex, but I though this book was a tad boring and most of the characters unlikable. His portrayal of the character (don't remember his name) with bipolar was well done though...
2.5 stars.

When flying for work recently, I sat next to a Dad and his 12 year old daughter who was reading this book. Every time her Dad talked to her, she'd be all, "Gawd Dad, SSHH!" Eventually I asked her (extremely chatty) Dad what she was reading, and the girl showed me this cover. When I told her I'd already read it, she thought I was SO COOL. She is probably the only person who thinks I'm cooler for having read this book. It's not entirely fair to assess this book by the same standard as the others in the list because it is for children. But in a Hunger Games type of way, so I liked it. So what?
4 stars.

The sequel was pretty lame.
1.5 stars
I can't get Blogger to format this properly. I'm pretty sure it's Blogger's fault and not mine.One of these days I'll stop bitching about Blogger and just change servers.

Hilarious and spot on. I heart Michael Ian Black. And memoirs written by comedians.
5 stars.

Oh Mindy Kaling, any interest in being my friend? The title alone is genius because how many times have I asked myself this VERY SAME QUESTION? Plus, her dress is cute on the cover and the stories are hilarious. Also, see above feedback about memoirs by comedians.
5 stars

Meh. Maybe just the wrong book at the wrong time, but I couldn't stay engaged.
1.5 stars

This book was quality reading. The beginning sucked me in and then it tapered off midway and I had to focus on the Steinbeck qualities of her writing to get through the slow plot and unemotional characters. Just when you think you can't take it anymore, it grabs you back up and gets good again.4 stars.

I'm probably supposed to be cooler than this, but sometimes I like me a little Jennifer Weiner book. And this one didn't disappoint.
4 stars (probably not fair to the Orchardist to give them the same number of stars, but oh well. There you are) Oh man this book sucked. I thought it was going to be a classy, dirty book but it was just a slightly better written version of 50 Shades, which was maybe the worst book in the history of books, but at least it got me hot and bothered.

Zero stars Sylvia Day, ZERO. I'm sure Sylvia Day is all "Hahahaha! I could care less what you think because I am super rich from writing knock offs of shitty books!" And to you, Ms. Day, I say, "Well played, well played."

As long as I'm admitting shitty books I read this year, I might as well cop to this one. And you can just stop giving me that judgey look right now - because I got enough of it from my husband. Truth is, this book was an airport purchase that started as a joke and.... ended as a joke. I mean, I read it. But it was just as ridiculous and terrible as I thought it was going to be. But my weird obsession with the Kardashians knows no bounds.
0 stars

Such a well written book. It dragged a few different times, but never for very long and the main character was strong enough to carry you through the slow parts.
4.5 stars

I'm not much for Non Fiction, but this book was amazingly done. Highly recommend.
5 stars.

I actually don't know if this book was as good as I remember, but I really enjoyed it and loaned it out to several people already - so far, they've all shared my opinion. It would be a great vacation read.
4.5 stars

This was a quick read and I remember liking it, but I read it during a busy work month while traveling for an event, so the details of why are a little hazy.
3.5 stars

All the cool kids were doing it, so I read it too. And I liked it. Apologies to all of you with better taste in literature.
4 stars.

This book surprised me because for some reason it seemed like a Dude Book. But I loved it. Dry and witty with a quick moving plot and more than a touch of historical fiction. Plus, the author photo is HANDSOME.
5 stars

Not terribly well written, but an interesting story about a batshit crazy lady who lied about being in the Twin Towers on 9-11. I'd probably suggest watching a TV special about this story instead of reading the book.
2 stars.

I loved this book. Very engaging, well written with lots of drama and magic. There were one too many hints at pro-life politics behind the story line for my liking, but that's really my only complaint. The rest of the book was excellent.
4.5 stars

Slowest book ever. Hilary Mantel is supposed to be amazing, but I was underwhelmed. The writing was solid, but the story was depressing, and also depressing.
2.5 stars

Meh. Not bad and not good.
2.5 stars

Jeff bought me this book of short stories, which isn't really my bag. The writing was very solid though, so I read 90% of the stories.
3.5 stars (4.5 if you love short stories)

As good as everyone says it's going to be. It's a pretty major burn on Seattle - which was a little anoying since I live here. But I can take a good joke. I only wish her Seattle specific jokes were a little more original. I mean, everyone knows we all drive Subarus...let's come up with something little more cutting. And I've lived here forever and never heard anyone describe something as "hinky" - that particular burn was lost on me. But despite that, I loved the characters and found the book really addictive.
4.5 stars

Very engaging mémoire. I sort of hated Eat Pray Love, so was worried this would be more of the same, but Cheryl Strayed is way less rashy than whatshername.
3.75 stars

Standard Philippa Gregory book here. Except without the disgusting incest that some of her books feature. So, bonus.
3.5 stars